Ukraine, Russia Swap 205 POWs Each in First Phase

Ukraine and Russia exchanged 205 prisoners of war from each side on May 15, marking the first phase of a planned 1,000-for-1,000 swap announced by U.S. President Donald Trump the previous week.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the exchange on Telegram, stating that nearly all of the returned Ukrainian service members had been held in Russian captivity since 2022, near the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The group included soldiers and officers from Ukraine's Ground Forces, Navy, Air Assault Forces, National Guard, Territorial Defense Forces, Air Force, and State Border Guard Service, with some from the Azov Brigade. Their ages ranged from 21 to 62, and many had been captured during the defense of Mariupol and Azovstal. Zelensky noted that the freed prisoners would receive medical examinations, rehabilitation, and other support at specialized centers.

Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed the swap in a statement, saying its 205 service members had been transferred from Ukrainian-controlled territory and were now in Belarus undergoing psychological and medical evaluations. The ministry added that the United Arab Emirates provided humanitarian assistance during their return.